Know the manner of the love of God
1 John 3:1-2 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.
Beloved now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.”
What manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God!
He could have simply called us servants in His house.
For us sinners, that would have been a great mercy.
But He calls us “sons of God”.
In this, He gives us the privilege of “access”.
Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.”
Access…..we many come before His throne, anytime….
And He says we may come “boldly”.
Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
The Lord says,….Come and get My mercy and help for now…..
….”in this time of need”, is the way I pray….when I claim this verse.
He gives us a place in the household of God.
Ephesians 2:19 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”
He blesses us with all spiritual blessings in Christ.
Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”
In Christ we have an inheritance of blessings….not cursing.
He has so many for us: peace, joy, strength, courage, patience…etc.
He gives us authority to speak in His Name…we are His ambassadors.
2 Corinthians 5:19-20 “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
He gives us an inheritance; the Holy Spirit being the earnest or downpayment of all which is to come, here, and in heaven.
Through the Holy Spirit, we are lead, comforted, graced, and corrected all through this life to the life in heaven.
Ephesians 1:13-14 “In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also, after that ye believed ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.”
1 Peter 1:3-5 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
And as a Father, He corrects us, that we might become all we can be.
Hebrews 12:9-10 “Futhermore, we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence (respect): shall we not much more rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure, but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.”
God’s character in sending His Beloved Son to die for us, is love.
God’s purpose in sending His Beloved Son to die for us, is that we might be “the sons of God”; conformed into His likeness.
1 John 4:8-9 “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.”
What manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us!
“Bestowed” here is in the present tense: which means He is always giving us (has given, is giving, and will give), because we are His sons.
One of the last exhortations before the Revelation; is…
Jude 20-21 “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
Hold tight onto the Father’s hand, as His children.
Receive from the Father’s hand all He wants to give, and use it.
Hear His correction and become conformed to Christ’s image.
Keep ourselves in the love of God.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 